Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112492

Crystal Bieterman, MPH, CHES, State Health Programs, Health Education Department, Health Net of California, Inc., 1055 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91106, 626-683-6481, crystal.bieterman@healthnet.com

Health Net of California, a large managed care organization serves approximately 130,400 Medicaid members between the age 12 and 21. The importance of addressing the health care needs of the adolescent population cannot be understated. Adolescence is a critical time in which risky health behaviors may be modified and healthy habits may be established. In California, the rate of adolescent health care utilization is disproportionately lower than other age groups, especially in the Medicaid population. In order to implement interventions tailored for this population, it is critical to identify the most effective ways to reach the adolescent population. After identifying barriers to receiving care, interventions were developed and implemented to encourage adolescent preventive health care utilization. Interventions were implemented at the provider, parent and adolescent levels. Provider interventions included identifying teen friendly physicians and a network assessment of adolescent care best practices. Parent interventions included an intervention on adolescent confidentiality and consent. The adolescent interventions included an incentive-based intervention promoting well-care visits. Lessons learned and evaluation results, including effectiveness of the interventions, will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify the most effective intervention components of an adolescent preventive health program in a managed care setting
• Identify barriers to adolescent health care utilization in a managed care setting
• Identify effective avenues to reach adolescents in a managed care setting

Keywords: Adolescents, Health Care Utilization

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation